7 Fun Things to Do with Your Kids without Breaking the Bank (Guest Post)

1.Backyard OlympicsCome up with some fun events and hold your own Olympic Games. Have them make paper airplanes and see who can fly one the farthest. See who can spit watermelon seeds the farthest. See who can blow the biggest bubble gum bubble. Have the kids come up with their own events. You can even have fun making the award medals before hand.2.Taking Pictures

Unlike the days of the past when photography was rather expensive, digital cameras and rechargeable batteries have made taking pictures an affordable hobby for just about everyone. See who can take the coolest looking pictures, and share them with your friends and family on Facebook. Who knows, you may have a budding artist on your hands. You can even give out mini awards for “biggest smile” or “goofiest photo.”

3.Summer Programs at the Library

Most public libraries have some programs that are free to kids during the summer. It may be just going and listening to the librarian read or possibly some guest readers. While you’re there, you can let the kids pick out some books to read on their own time.

4.Scavenger Hunt

It can be for things that they can find around the house, or things in nature if you live near a park. The longer the list, the more time you’ll keep them occupied. You might want to assign a value for each item, the harder to find items being worth more points. Small prizes or special privileges can be awarded to the winner.5.Put on a PlayFree scripts can be found in abundance online. Let the kids audition for the different roles. Create costumes from clothes you already have or take a trip to the thrift store. After a few practices, they’ll be ready to entertain your family and friends. You can design tickets using online tools, or have the kids make them with colored pencils and crayons.

6. Make a Bug Collection

Have the kids catch as many different bugs as they can. Some straight pins will hold then in place on a piece of styrofoam. Then see how many they can identify from searching online. If they are against killing the bugs, keep them in a jar with air holes until identification. Then set them free.

7. Grow a Garden

This is a summer long project. Let the kids pick out what they want to grow and get the seeds. Go through the whole process with them from tilling the soil and sowing the seeds to harvesting the crops. This project can serve as a great learning experience, and in the end the kids get to eat what they grow.

No matter what project you and your kids choose to do, try to make it as much fun as possible. After all, fun is what it’s all about.

Angie loves coming up with fun activities for her at-home daycare business! Celebrating her fifth year as a daycare provider, Angie recently found out she is expecting her second child and can’t wait to come up with more fun activities! When not with her kids, she loves reading mystery novels, watching American Idol with her husband of nine years, Tom, and just got a great deal on her home insurance at: http://www.homeinsurance.org/